IAN LADYMAN: The decision to start the 2022 World Cup a day earlier than originally planned is late and highly impractical… allowing Qatar’s opener against Ecuador is further proof that FIFA is out of touch .
By Ian Ladyman for the Daily Mail
Published: 22:31, August 10, 2022 | Updated: 23:00, 10 August 2022
FIFA’s sudden decision to start a World Cup 12 years in the planning a day earlier than it was announced so close to the starting line is ridiculously late and, at least for supporters, highly impractical.
Qatar’s opening match with Ecuador will be moved a day earlier to Sunday, November 20, originally scheduled for the Monday evening slot after three other matches had been played.
It’s a move entirely typical of a world body long disconnected from the real needs and values of the game. It’s also a move that cuts right to the heart of the illegal, unethical and, to this day, utterly baffling decision to award the World Cup to Qatar in the first place.
As everyone but FIFA seemed to know in 2010, when their executives’ votes were bought and sold, it is impossible to play competitive football in the Middle East in the summer. It’s too hot So the tournament was moved, much to the chagrin of nearly every league and domestic competition in the world, into the depths of this coming winter.
For this reason, in turn, this year’s World Cup extends over the fewest number of days practically possible.
The Qatar 2022 World Cup will kick off a day ahead of schedule on Sunday, November 20
Alongside the host nation, Ecuador were harmed by the opening day’s schedule
As brutal as it sounds, football needs to be over so league programs can resume. And that, therefore, is why four games were originally used on opening day, rather than the one or two we’ve been used to over the years.
It’s easy to understand why the host nation and Ecuador were unhappy to have been sandwiched between more glamorous games involving Holland and then England on the opening day.
The first ball thrown in a World Cup has traditionally been by the hosts – as in 2018, 2014, 2010 and 2006 – or the starters – as in 2002 and 1998. Ultimately, that match has always felt like an event in itself same, the gun ringing at the beginning of a festival.
For Qatar and Ecuador it wouldn’t have felt that way and from the moment the draw was made it looked bad.
The additional change is in addition to the fact that the tournament will be held in the winter instead of the traditional summer period due to the extreme heat in Qatar, which affects almost all leagues.
This, however, is not the answer. Not when supporters have flights and hotels booked and paid for.
One of the beauties of a World Cup – even this World Cup – is that the matches are heavily populated by fans who don’t have a dog in the fight, the neutrals.
What now for those planning to arrive in Doha on Sunday 20 November with tickets for a match they were told would take place the following day?
This is a decision made too late with no thought, once again, to those whom the major tournaments are supposed to serve. And this in a World Cup that has long been a disadvantage for everyone, except for the Blazers from Zurich.